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Why latest Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno allegations may not matter, legally speaking

Old wounds reopened Thursday in the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal as Penn State and its insurance company fought through the court system. One allegation included that late Nittany Lions football coach Joe Paterno was informed of the behavior of Sandusky, a former assistant coach, as early as 1976 .

The news of the allegation sent shockwaves through the sports community as many scrambled to understand how it happened, what effect it would have on the school's settlement with victims and its NCAA sanctions and whether it would spawn another investigation by the NCAA entirely.

MORE: Joe Paterno through the years

A new investigation seems unlikely, since the allegation surfaced as the judge in the case, Gary Glazer of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, tries to interpret the underlying insurance contract between Penn State and Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Insurance Co.